Last, but not least, we introduce Universal Rebel, the spiritual force behind this Saturday’s firstMorristownGreen.com Music Fest. At our film festival in August, these tuneful fellows got everyone dancing to their songs of unity and love. In that same spirit, they have brought together the diverse and talented community of performers you will see tomorrow, from 1 to 4 p.m., atop the DeHart Street parking garage. Admission is free; a raffle will benefit the Collinsville Child Care Center.Universal Rebel features Brandyn “Adeo” Heppard on vocals, Mike Biskup on guitar, Willy Carmona on horn and percussion, Rich Collins on bass, Matt McCormack on keyboards, and Steve Honoshowsky on drums. Manager John Hodges rounds out the group, and was instrumental in planning the music fest. Here’s a recent interview with Brandyn, who teaches philosophy:

MorristownGreen.com: Hi, Brandyn. The theme of this year’s MG Film Fest is “Hope.” Tell us what you hope for — in music, and in life?

Brandyn Heppard: As a whole, Universal Rebel hopes to change the attitude of music
listeners worldwide. We incorporate lively music with inspirational
lyrics to give the listener hope. Hope, that this world is a great
place, which we identify through music the many hardships of everyday
life. Where the hope comes in, is that we can make at least one
person’s day that much better after hearing us perform.

Kevin CoughlinUniversal Rebel performs at last week’s Morristown Festival on the Green. Lead singer Adeo, a.k.a. Brandyn Heppard, is backed by Rich Collins on bass and Mike Biskup on guitar. Universal Rebel will co-host Saturday’s MG Music Fest with us.MG: These are tough times for many people. What do the great philosophers tell us about hope? How important is it?

Brandyn Heppard: I think that all great philosophers would say the same thing.
Hope is a state of mind that is directed by a positive attitude. A
simple positive attitude can go a long way. Just by keeping our minds
positive we can overcome anything, and a little faith never hurts
either. Being positive and having faith, alone, can give me the hope
that I can do anything and get through any tough situation.

MG: Why did you choose Adeo as your stage name?

Brandyn Heppard: Adeo actually comes from the name Adeodatus, the illegitimate son of
St. Augustine. Adeodatus literally translates as “Gift from God.”

MG: Nietzsche said “God is dead.” How has he influenced your world view? And how has philosophy influenced your music?

Brandyn Heppard: Nietzsche, like philosophy, has given me the layout to question
everything. With this I like to challenge our ideals and to challenge
the mainstream. Nietzsche is trying to say that the highest values, by
the nature of beings, automatically devalue themselves in time. He was
not necessarily saying that “God is dead,” but more that the idea that
“God,” perceived through society, has failed. Nietzsche has taught me
that I am not afraid to be challenged, and in no way has this
challenged my faith in God. If anything, it has strengthened my belief,
and that is shown through my music.

Brandyn Heppard: Unfortunately in today’s music world, Hip Hop is perceived with
negative thoughts. This is mainstream Hip Hop, but what most people do
not realize is that all music is an expression, and unfortunately most
of the music on the radio is made just to sell. With live music and
positive lyrics, we go back to the original roots of Hip Hop that was
created through love and imagination.

MG: What special qualities do each of your band-mates contribute to Universal Rebel? And what is the origin of the band’s name?

Brandyn Heppard: We came up with Universal Rebel for two simple ideas. We are
universal, in the fact that everyone can listen to our music. Rebel
fits in because we are not the mainstream. We know we have a good
product and we show it at every show. Each band member brings their own
style to the band, which makes it that much more entertaining.

Steve Honoshowsky, the drummer, brings some of the greatest beats
and rhythms I have heard. Rich Collins, bass, brings a soul,
funk-infused bass line. Comack (aka Matt McCormack), on keys, brings a
bluesy, jazz style. Mike Biskup, on the guitar, brings his own style of
rock. Willy Carmona, on hand percussion and trumpet, completes the band
with amazing rhythms on hand percussion and smooth jazz sounds on
trumpet.

Kevin CoughlinBrandyn Heppard of Universal Rebel has a degree in philosophy. On stage, the Morristown High graduate goes by ‘Adeo’— which has roots in early Christianity.

MG: Do you come from a musical family? How did you get
started as a performer? Were your parents supportive? And what
motivated you to study philosophy? (Please cite your degree.)

Brandyn Heppard: My father passed away when I was two, so it was just my Mom who
raised me. She was more than supportive and loving, introducing me to
all genres of music, especially MoTown and the blues. She always
encouraged me to be me, so I took that and built upon it. That helped
me to find my love for philosophy and achieve my Masters in philosophy.
Music has always been a part of me, and from my learning I incorporate
the two.

MG: Where do you hope to take Universal Rebel? And how do you plan to use your philosophy degree?

Brandyn Heppard: I hope one day to have Universal Rebel playing in the homes of
every human being that wants a little love in their life. (Hopefully
that is everyone). We are all about the betterment of the human race. I
am currently a professor of philosophy, just trying to better students’
minds and make them think outside the box. This is exactly the same
theory I use when I am on stage.

MG: What would you like to say to patrons who will be seeing Universal Rebel for the first time?

Brandyn Heppard: Sit back, relax, and enjoy. If you like music that can move your
soul and entertain your brain, then you will enjoy Universal Rebel.
Minds are like parachutes, they only work when they are open!!

Kevin CoughlinUniversal Rebel at last weekend’s Morristown Festival on the Green: Matt McCormack on keys, Steve Honoshowsky on drums, Adeo (a.k.a. Brandyn Heppard) on vocals, Rich Collins on bass, Mike Biskup on guitar, and Willy Carmona on percussion and horn. The band will co-host Saturday’s MG Music Fest with us.